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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Threats to mental health and well-being associated with climate change

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Hrabok M, Delorme A, Agyapong VIO
2020
Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 76: 102295

Climate change is a contributor to extreme weather events and natural disasters. The mental health effects of climate change are multifaceted, with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression predominant. This paper aims to describe the impact of climate change on mental health conditions, including risk and protective factors related to the expression of mental health conditions post-disaster, as well as a discussion of our local experience with a devastating wildfire to our region within Canada. The risk of the development of mental health conditions post-disaster is not equally distributed; research has consistently demonstrated that specific risk factors (e.g., gender, socioeconomic status and education, pre-existing mental health symptomatology), are associated with increased vulnerability to mental health conditions following natural disasters. There are multiple strategies that must be undertaken by communities to enhance adjustment and coping post-disaster, including improved access to care, inter-agency cooperation, enhanced community resiliency, and adequate preparation.

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Resource Description

    General Exposure, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster
    • General Exposure, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster: Wildfire
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Non-U.S. North America
    Mental Health and Well-Being
    • Mental Health and Well-Being: General Mental Health and Well-Being, Stress Disorder
    Review Article
    Vulnerable Population
    • Vulnerable Population: General Vulnerable Populations
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